Seto Machhindranath temple’s youngest teen priest

Change is the only thing that is inevitable. And usually new generations’ thoughts and actions are somewhat different from their older generations. However, Utsav Shakya, 19-year-old student studying BBS at Public Youth Campus is following his tradition of being a priest. Shakya is the youngest priest of Seto Machhindranath temple and he is willingly working as a priest. “I grew interest in our culture when I was a child. I used to play games pretending to carry khat (palanquin), pulling chariot and sit in the chariot. Only when I turned 17, I got the chance for the first time to carry the actual khat. I liked it and volunteered for the second time. And this year I got to carry it again. Deep inside I feel I should follow tradition to preserve our cultural heritage. As long as I stay in Kathmandu, I am willing to be devoted to the deity,” says Shakya. When he is not doing his priestly duty, he is just like any other teenagers.